The Future of Navy Pier – What’s Your Vision?

by Paul Mulvihill

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Navy Pier’s call for submissions to redesign one of Chicago’s most prominent tourism assets heated up recently as several talented architecture and design teams were chosen to move on to the next stage of the redevelopment competition. The teams have a few months to put together their plans before a winner is chosen in February, 2012.

A Centennial Vision for Navy Pier was released last summer to provide a guideline for design teams and open up the subject for public commentary.

Revisit the beauty of Lake Michigan.

The ideals of the Centennial Vision center on maintaining Navy Pier- the people’s Pier- as a place for the public to gather and enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan in keeping with Daniel Burnham’s Plan for Chicago.

The Vision also outlines the need for the Pier to refresh its aging mid-90s facade and reexamine the most profitable uses for retail, convention and recreational space.

After all, Navy Pier must thrive as a business in order to remain a free place for the public to enjoy. Maximizing revenue-generating activities is a key part of its future success.

And as the Pier approaches its 100th anniversary in 2016, it’s an exciting and opportune time for a makeover.

There is so much to consider!

While the Centennial Vision provides ideas, goals and strategies for future development, it is a flexible framework that does not commit to any specific design solutions.

The Vision is intentionally flexible because public opinion plays a central role in determining the specifics of a redevelopment plan. Members of the public now have the opportunity to help shape the future of this iconic lakefront landmark.

Your comments are essential! Navy Pier needs your feedback so that in may evolve to best suit your needs.

So what are your thoughts?

Find Navy Pier on Facebook and Twitter and join the discussion of some of the key components of the Vision.